Jai Opetaia vs someone with a pulse

[dan_cov]

I actually like Jai and think he is #1 in the division but his opposition is awful! The he's ducked excuse just isn't cutting it especially when you're not fighting the next best guy or someone in the top 5 or even 10 at least, that Squire, no idea but truth be told he's probably barely top 50 at best. Nobody else in the division has any problem finding fights yet he continually fights guys who aren't any good and there is no intrigue at all because the guys can't punch. You can't even give them a punchers chance! What if that is Dorticos landing flush right hands on Jai and not some 5'9 dude that looks like he should be down at light-heavyweight?

Zurdo got stick for cherrypicking, right? He then fought Bivol and took his licks and moved up.
He fought Joe Smith Jr in his first fight - limited dude but tough and can punch, intriguing. He then fought Goulamirian followed by CBS now he is fighting a rather inactive but dangerous, hard-hitting Cuban in Dorticos. 4 fights, 4 perfectly acceptable opponents in under 2 years.

I look at Zurdo's resume and the guys he is fighting compared to the bums off the Street that Jai is, I have a hard time believing Zurdo is the one ducking and regardless Jai should not be fighting this sort of opposition. Completely unacceptable and the governing bodies who sanction this dog**** ought to give their head a wobble before someone ends up badly hurt

[JakeTheBoxer]

The guy doesn't even fight top 10 guys in his division. Very poor matchmaking. Shame, because I like his style.

I am starting to think he is waiting for Bivol or Beterbiev to move up. Honestly, he doesn't deserve it.

[HisExcellency]

Lol you jabronis are sleeping on Opetaia...the dude is ELITE and has that rare combination of size, athleticism/explosiveness and power with a top amateur pedigree to boot. In fact, the only fighter to give him trouble to date was Breidis but even Usyk struggled to beat him (MD) whereas Jai won via UD twice. However, he definitely needs to face Zurdo next as he's blowing through these mediocre fighter's too easily.

[kiaba360]

The guy doesn't even fight top 10 guys in his division. Very poor matchmaking. Shame, because I like his style.

I am starting to thing he is waiting for Bivol or Beterbiev to move up. Honestly, he doesn't deserve it.

I think it's simpler than that: Matchroom is not going to take a risk with Opetaia until they can get him a unification. Opetaia was supposed to face IBF's #1 contender (Huseyin Cinkara), but he pulled out due to injury which led to Nyika. Then, I'm assuming Cinkara wanted a post-injury tune-up (he fought on 4/26), so Opetaia was allowed a voluntary and he chose one of the weakest IBF-ranked in Squeo. If he doesn't get a unification next, he's probably facing Cinkara instead. After Cinkara gets his shot, then I assume IBF will start ordering eliminators.

[Coverdale]

The conversation was already had in this thread. You should check yourself before calling people 'bums' when you're just a cretin on a forum.

Almost half the division has been caught in the WBC circle jerk. Zurdo and Jai's schedule has been off due to mandatories. CBS is obviously rebuilding after the Zurdo beatdown.

Jai has fought three times in just over a year since the Breidis rematch. They've obviously opted to keep him busy whilst the opportunity to land a bigger fight materialises.

[ODLH Chicano Goat]

The Gentleman CB Smith would be a good title defense.

[elfag]

The guy doesn't even fight top 10 guys in his division. Very poor matchmaking. Shame, because I like his style.

I am starting to thing he is waiting for Bivol or Beterbiev to move up. Honestly, he doesn't deserve it.

That is exactly what his match makers are doing, they are keeping an "0" and doing just enough to keep his lame title belt which means you can fight complete bums as valid defenses these days.

They are waiting for a cash out fight, which is either beter/bivol or they heard usyk casually throw out he could return to cruiser which as he gets up there in age I dont believe will happen but honestly he would fight him at heavy if they offered the money.

[JakeTheBoxer]

Maybe his handlers didn`t like what they saw in Briedis fights.

[NihonJim]

Maybe his handlers didn`t like what they saw in Briedis fights.

I wouldn't like it either.

Supposedly the most feared man in boxing and he's clinging on for dear life vs a 40 year old inactive fighter and can't wait to hear the bell.

People too carried away with Jai, he's beat a bunch of absolute stiffs and old man maris